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ENMU Ruidoso Branch Community College
Master Syllabus
Course Number:
CJ 202
Credits:
Semester:
SPRING 2008
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Course Title:
Introduction to Investigations
Other:
Instructor information
Jennifer Riggs
Home Phone: 505-354-0585
Work Phone: 505-354-8305
University Office Phone: 505-257-2120 (Leave a message. with ENMU)
E-Mail: jennifer.riggs@enmu.edu
Rationale for Student Taking This Course
This is an introductory course that briefly covers a variety of criminal investigation topics. Upon completion of this course
you will have a general understanding of the criminal investigation and evidence gathering procedures. For anyone planning
to be a lawyer, police officer, corrections officer, or probation/parole officer or just to gain knowledge about this subject, this
class offers case studies, important information and research as well as current crime scene investigation techniques in the field
of criminal justice.
Course Description
An overview analysis of the science of criminal investigation. All aspects of the investigative process are surveyed from
the preliminary investigation at the crime scene through prosecution and trial.
Text(s)/Study Guides(s), Manuals
Required Text
Dempsey, John S. (2003). Introduction to Investigations (2nd ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson and Wadsworth.
Recommended Texts
Glenn, Cheryl & Gray, Loretta (2007). The Writer’s Harbrace Handbook. (3rd ed). Belmont, CA: Thomson and Wadsworth.
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.). (2002). Washington, DC: American Psychological
Association.
(Your text can be purchased through the ENMU-Ruidoso campus bookstore.)
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Expected Student Outcomes or Competencies
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to discuss the following topics giving them a better understanding
of the law and criminal investigation strategies.
The student will be able to describe the various types of laws governing society and the role of the investigator in
courtroom testimony. 10%
The student will be able to define investigative terms that are currently being used in the criminal justice system. 15%
The student will be able to describe the various procedures involved in processing crime scenes and collecting evidence.
25%
The student will be able to define and illustrate the purpose of investigation and the basic structure of the investigatory
process. 25%
The student will be able to describe the methods police investigators use to solve crimes. 25%
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Prerequisites for the Course
There are no prerequisites listed for this course; however, completion of English 101 is recommended.
Integration of Critical Skills
All students shall demonstrate the five Critical Skill areas selected by the ENMU Ruidoso Instruction Center in the following
ways:
1. Critical Thinking: Weekly Essay assignments from the text. Taking midterm and final exams.
2. Writing: Research paper; article summary; and posting essay discussions online each week.
3. Computer Use: Websites/Article Summaries from Criminal Justice journals.
4. Public Speaking: Interaction with classmates in response to discussion questions, communication with other students
and the instructor.
5. Group Work: Discussion postings each week within the group and in other areas with all students.
Grading Policy
Instructor's evaluation based upon the following criteria:
Points System with a Total of 1500 points.
Assignments 8 @ 50 points = Possible 400 Points
Discussion Issue Attendance Postings 8 @ 50 = Possible 400 Points
Midterm & Final Exams 2 @ 100 points each = Possible 200 Points
Article Summary 1 @ 100 points = Possible 100 points
Annotated Bibliography 1 @ 100 points = Possible 100 points
Final paper with Reference page = Possible 300 points
A = 1350-1500
B = 1349 - 1200
C = 1199 – 1050
D = 1049 - 900
F = less than 900 points
1. A grade of "A"(superior) will be assigned to those learners who meet all class requirements and who do class work
of a superior nature.
2. A grade of "B" (satisfactory) will be assigned to those learners who meet all class requirements and who do class
work of a satisfactory nature.
3. A grade of "C" (marginal) will be assigned to those learners who meet most class requirements and who do class
work of at least a marginally satisfactory nature
4. A grade of "D" (below marginal) will be assigned to those learners who do not meet the marginal level of class
requirements and who do class work of a below marginal satisfactory nature.
5. A grade of "F" (unsatisfactory) will be assigned to those learners who do not meet specified criteria of at least a
below marginal satisfactory level of work.
Course Expectations
As an instructor, I expect you to:
Read the text, take notes, interact and be cooperative with other students and the instructor while online.
Ask questions if you do not understand the material.
Be courteous to other students and the instructor during the course of the program.
Express your ideas and concepts without the use of profanity.
As a student, you can expect me to:
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Semester Outline
Each week we will focus on two chapters in our text. It is advisable to keep up with your reading in the text.
Week 1 (March 10- 14): Spend this week becoming familiar with the WebCT online learning environment. Read
Chapter 1 in the required text and complete the assignment and discussion.
Week 2 (March 17-21): Read Chapters 2 & 3. Complete assignment and discussion. Article summary due.
Week 3 (March 24-28): Reach Chapters 4 & 5. Complete assignment and discussion.
Week 4 (March 31- April 4): Read Chapter 6 & 7. Complete assignment and discussion. Midterm exam.
Week 5 (April 7-11): Read Chapter 8 & 9. Complete assignment and discussion. Annotated bibliography due.
Week 6 (April 14-18): Read Chapter 10 & 11. Complete assignment and discussion.
Week 7 (April 21-25): Read Chapter 12 & 13. Complete assignment and discussion.
Week 8 (April 28- May 2): Read Chapter 14 & 15. Complete assignment and discussion. Final paper due this
week. Final exam. Class ends May 3, 2008.
Grades will be turned in to the ENMU office.
Student Code of Conduct
For the complete Student Code of Conduct please refer to the Student Handbook available at
http://www.enmu.edu/studentlife/handbook/conduct.shtml. Instructors at ENMU-Ruidoso will not tolerate poor student
behavior including plagiarism. Plagiarism is:
 Offering the work of another as one's own;
 Offering the work of another without acknowledgment or
 Failing to give credit for quotations or essentially identical expressions of material taken from books,
encyclopedias, magazines, other reference works, term papers, reports or sources of any other individual.
Punishment is left up to the instructor and may range from a written warning to expulsion from the university.
Americans with Disabilities Act
If you have physical or learning needs that require accommodation, contact your instructor at the beginning of the
semester. All efforts will be made to accommodate these needs or to provide equipment necessary to accomplish the
requirements for this course. Discussions and documentation will be kept confidential.
Course Cancellation Policy
Classes may not be cancelled by the instructor. If the instructor is ill or unable to hold class for reasons beyond his or her
control, a substitute instructor will hold class or students will be given the opportunity to make up missed class time
through an alternative meeting time (agreeable to all students) or by completion of an outside assignment.
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